My Winter Tune-up
 

Hello fellow racers (especially of age). My name is Ernie Neal a long-time Superstock racer from Columbus, Indiana.


I am writing this because I have some recuperating time as I just had open heart surgery January 11, 2017. Thought I would tell others of my experience, so you guys can think about it and tell your friends of my signs.


I have been working hard 2016 to complete a 1991 Corvette build for SS/I. I also have been working on another engine combination, with some builds still in the works. These engines will drop me to a lower classification hp/lbs. in my current Cavalier GT/C ride to GT/J (now GT/N). I am telling you all of this because I had been going at it pretty hard for a 68 year old. I knew I was tired a lot, but didn’t slow me down a whole lot either. At the PRI this year, walking around all day I just couldn’t up with my sons and Dave Tincher, especially on the way to hooters. I am never slow going there.


Now with me feeling fatigued, that is what they called it. I was feeling pressure (tightness) in my upper chest all the way around my upper extremity. I could set down for 5 minutes and was ready to go again. I knew about chest pain and pain/numbness down the arm and inattention as heartache symptoms. I had fireman friend run a 12 lead EKG, but showed nothing. I went to my family doctor for my annual refills and told her. Her reply was “you’ve just earned yourself a stress test”. The echo-cardiogram showed my heart was having to work extra hard. They were observing with an ultrasound after my treadmill. I have not had a heart attack and my heart had not suffered any damage. January 3, 2017 I went to the CATH lab to find out I have hardening of the arteries. So on January 11, 2017 I went back for the open heart. Well they fixed 5 of those things from a piece they removed from right leg. I think I had to have 5 because I have 5 speeds in my car (ha-ha). They said I was a good candidate, for I’m a non-smoker, non-drinker, not obese, and somewhat in shape for an old guy.


I had a 4 day stay in ICU and now on slow recovery. It will be 3 weeks before I can drive and 8 before the sternum is healed. Man I have a lot of crap to get done in the off season. My son, David and David Tincher will be helping me get rolling in the early season. My children have been so helpful during my unscheduled winter tune-up.
Want to thank all the racing family already wishing a quick recovery.


Ernie Neal
SS534

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie,

Thank you for sharing your story! You may save someone who is having the same symptoms and doesn't get checked.

We are all looking forward to seeing you back at the track good as new.

Speedy recovery

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Hoping for a speeding recovery and looking forward to seeing you at the track!

Dennis Breeden

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

So glad to know everything worked out well for you. I am also a man of age and get checked frequently for any signs of trouble. I just lost my wife to cancer after a six and a half year battle, which resulted in her death. Hope you recover 100% and continue your racing efforts. Best of luck to you, your boys and all your friends. Life is short, use it wisely.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, congratulations on taking care of business and being persistent about getting to the cause of your fatigue. Fatigue is often an early indicator of an impending cardiac event and is too often ignored or put off to 'other things'....working long hours, a few extra birthdays, etc.

You'll be surprised how quickly you get stronger as you do your cardiac rehab. :) - Al

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, glad to hear you caught it in time.
I have a friend who would ride his bike from Chicago to Milwaukee and back. Didn't smoke or eat buttered popcorn, still fit in his Air Force uniform from Vietnam and had some of the same symptoms at a trade show. His boss told him to go get it looked at a week later he a quadruple by-pass. Doing great now, even grew a ponyail. (Though unlike his wife's hair it isn't the same color as when they met!) Keep up with the rehab and don't push too hard too soon. And keep that coughing pillow handy.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, good to hear everything turned out for the good. Didn't get to see the Cavalier when you were at last Beech end combo race, heard it was nice. Take care of yourself and will see you at Beech Bend Sports. J.Gower

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Wishing you a speedy recovery! Hope to see you at the track this year!

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

My "Winter tune up" was surgery for Prostate cancer so I can appreciate this thread. That's another medical checkup to put on your "get over the fear of" list. Especially if you are over 50.

As for the Mustang, new gears, converter, cam and valves. Still not GT legal but a street racer no more.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie ;

Great Move Your heart now has been freshened up will be quicker and stronger especially on the top end the mph will be good:D

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Good story with a GREAT ending, good luck with your recovery and brake in your freshen up properly.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

i had the same thing 13 years ago
please listen to the DR
have a good recovery

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Vic knows get better

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Hi Ernie
I guess that would fit as preventive maintenance program.
You will be fine.
See you at Indy 1st point meet. Ready to race.
Good Luck
Larry Eagle

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Good luck with your recovery. Good story.

I am in a similar situation. I've had a heart attack, I have three stents in me, and I'm currently being monitored for eventual heart valve replacement. I'm not looking forward to getting cracked open but when I hear that guys like you and Vic did OK, it's encouraging.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, I had a good friend that had the same procedure 30yrs ago and
he is in Florida now, retired and living the good life. Said the surgery
not only made him feel better but he got his life back. Could do things
that he hadn't been able to do for years. My wife is a coronary nurse
so if you need any tips during your recovery give us a call. The main
thing is to get plenty of rest. Take care, see you at Indy

Roger K.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie-Glad that you are ok and recovering. Looking forward to seeing the Vette on the track soon!
Bryan

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Glad everything went well. Looking forward to seeing you bang those gears again.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie

Praying for speedy recovery, hope to see you at BG this summer. From Stephen , Horace and Jacob

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Thanks guys for the encouragement. I got out of ICU on Sunday. They told me to walk progressively more daily. I have at least 9 trips up and down the stairs today. I feel fine though.


From the looks of me, it looks as if someone kick my butt real bad and after that I loss the knife fight. I guess the bruising is normal? Anyone know? Does it take longer than 8 weeks to properly heal the sternum ? I lift heavier stuff than I should. Will I have to hold off on lifting that Liberty in and out?


I am very optimistic about my recovery.


I do have a lot of racing to do this year with all my cars. I will not be driving my 05 Sunfire as son David will doing it again. He loves and it doesn’t fit me well. You’ll find me in the SS/I 91 Corvette getting it sorted out. The Corvette hasn’t been on the quarter yet so we’ll see. I think the best it’s gone so far 6.21 @ 111.43 with 1.37 60’ at J weight.



Once that is done I’m concentrating on the taxi cab motor for my 05 Cavalier.


Thanks for listening - I will properly address all friends and racers whom have participated in this post


Ernie Neal
SS354

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie

Hope you are doing well. Was that your truck you posted the picture of.?

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

If your are talking the teal 98 Dakota, then yes, otherwise I don't know which truck

SS354
Ernie Neal

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, I had a single vessel bypass using an artery from my chest (internal mammary to left anterior descending). I looked like I'd been shot at and missed but $h!t at and hit. Don't push the issue with the sternum healing. In my day job, I've seen a couple of patients that didn't allow the sternum to heal and ended up with nasty infections.

Follow your Drs. advice to the letter. Once you turn the corner and start feeling better, you'll feel yourself getting stronger each day. -Al

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Well Alan, I appreciate the tip for I'm one that always pushed my lifting stuff just to get things done. Man it hurts washing my hands together. I have been good about hugging my cushion to keep my arms from doing stuff.

Ernie Neal
SS354

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Glad you are doing better, Ernie. Was good good chatting with you at the PRI Show. Get strong, you need to row some gears! See you in the Spring!

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, I wouldn't think you would want to lift anything heavier than your wallet for 8 to 10 weeks, enjoy the break you earned it. Look forward to visiting with you at bowling green or Indy, lifting a mixed drink takes your sternum ( I heard ).

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Thanks Joe, I plan on a full recovery by Indy D3-1 event.

One thing for sure Dale, with all that I'll be speeding on this tune-up that wallet will get really light. thanks for the tips!!

Ernie Neal
SS354

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, after I saw how excited you were when we talked at the PRI Show, I'd never have guessed you were in for this ride, but I'm very glad it all went as well as it has.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie…My best advice to you is to listen to what the doctor and cardiologist tell you. Your desire to do more than you can do is a positive thing, a lot of people lose that. In regards to bruising thats normal and the sternum takes a long time, looks good on the outside but your "Old Style lifting days" are over. If you feel "clicking" in the sternum it might be too late and they will have to open you up and rewire you (you want to prevent that). I have just celebrated my 3rd year of recovery from Quadruple Bypass Surgery on Dec.19 (done 2013). My symptoms were "shortness of breath", went to a race and had to take a rest nearly every 20' of walking. That was partially due to 100% blockage on the right side of my heart along with a 90% ,80% and 65%. Genetics, STRESS and diet proved to be the cause. Genetics on a persons fathers side is common. My Cardiologist told me to advise my siblings to get checked out, I did and shortly after my sister had a heart attack. There are many different signs of Heart Disease and Pre-Heart Attack. Some are Abnormal Numbness(I think we all have a little of that in the head with what we do with our so called disposable income), pain in the arms, sharp pain in the centre of the back between the shoulder blades, tight chest, chest pain, shortness of breath are only some. We are all from a Generation of Invincibility and it is important to get things checked out if you don't feel right. We read RIP posts weekly on this site and in some cases it may be preventible. Ernie keep up your positive desire to complete your project, just don't over do it and those closest to you will surely will be honoured to help. A sternum strength test is try and push the palms of your hands together tightly, you will feel what I'm trying to say. If you drive with your hands in the 10 o'clock- 2 o'clock position you will feel the strain on your sternum. Up in B.C. where I live the Insurance Company is involved and it is no driving for 8-12 weeks and there is good reason for that. A relaxed recovery time will give you an opportunity to think about whats important for You. Thank you for Sharing your Winter Tune-up story with us. Wishing you a Healthy Heart and Healing…Maurice.

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Maurice, thanks for this info, I know I want to do a lot but will not overdue it.
I know what you mean on pushing your palms together, just from trying to wash my hands. I'm concerned on my manual shift racing the last of April. I hope if I take it easy on my sternum earlier on I'll be healed by then.

Alan, yes pumped about my cars all running well. We'll get there

Ernie Neal
SS354

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie,

It was really nice to meet you at the PRI Show. There was no doubt in my mind how much enthusiasm you have for all of your cars and it was on full display, so I know you cannot wait for this new season to begin.

I wish you a full and speedy recovery and looking forward to watching you run through the gears no matter which car you are piloting.

See you in a couple months.

Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Thanks Gary, it was a pleasure talking you as well. I'll be at Indy opener driving or not.

Ernie Neal

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, glad you are doing better, do your rehab, don't push it. Kinda going through the same thing, waiting on a lung transplant. Probably out at least a year.
Call if you get bored.
Doug

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Glad to hear you're doing well. SS/I Vette huh? So new heart tune up means bigger wheel stands in the Vette right? Excited camera guy. lol

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Thanks Doug, yes I'll be in touch. Ernie

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

thanks Rob,
I'm sure it won't take me long to get it sorted out, some get that camera cleaned and ready to go. Rob I really enjoyed you Bowling Green coverage
thanks
see ya Ernie

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Thanks for all the acknowledgement on this post guys. I appreciate the support. I will be seeing a lot of you guys this racing season.


Mark Howes, thank you should be out Indy D3-1 race in April


Dennis Breeden, thanks, I see you at Indy


Dick Fox, thank you, sorry to learn of your loss


Alan Nyhus, thank you for all the things you've posted


Bobby DiDomenico, thank you on the pillow tip, but when I sneezed the

first time I had check see if I had peed myself man!


J Gower, thanks Jimmy, yes my Cavalier is pretty good already. First time on the quarter that combo


Ven 302, Venice, thanks buddy, yes I’m sure we’ll catch up with one another at a points meet soon.


Fire Sale, Dale, hope everything is going well on your tune-up too. Myself, I’m sore but feel great.


Don Kennedy, thanks Don, have you checked out that 91 Corvette in the Class Racer builds section yet?


Vic Guilmino, thanks Vic I am


Mickey Whaley, thanks Mickey


Lareagle, Larry, I appreciate it


Bob Don, Yes, this sternum healing is slow, but I’m feeling stronger with each day.


Bryan Phillips, thanks Bryan, I’m sure we’ll meet again somewhere in the season


Ed Carpenter, thanks Ed, I appreciate that


Stephen and Horace Johnson, I’ll be there hopefully in my usual spot, thanks Stephen, Horace & Jacob


Ernie Neal

SS354

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Get well soon Ernie!

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

thanks Bob, I'm doing okay, see you at the point meet in April

Ernie

Re: My Winter Tune-up
 

Ernie, just holler if you need anything, you aren't that far away. Hope to see you at Indy and catch up.